Canucks 4, Kraken 3 (SO): A blown lead, but a win as Demko injured

Article content material

For a time Thursday in Seattle it seemed just like the Vancouver Canucks had discovered themselves a much-needed win.

Article content material

Article content material

Article content material

With all types of storylines swirling round their group — their finest participant and captain injured, ongoing pressure between the 2 star centres, struggles to place video games away, a stumbling document, a pissed off coach — one other one was added to the record mid-game, as No. 1 goalie Thatcher Demko left the sport with again spasms.

The one factor the Canucks have had this yr is a formidable highway sport. Discovering methods to win away from dwelling has saved them within the Pacific Division playoff chase, whilst they’ve handled harm after harm to a succession of stars.

They usually did appear like they’d discovered a solution to one other shocking away win — however for the second time in every week the Canucks blew a third-period lead.

The Canucks might have folded after giving up a aim within the sport’s ultimate minute, however they received the sport to extra time and regardless of being short-staffed, put collectively a couple of excellent shifts and had a few good probabilities to place the sport away.

Article content material

Article content material

That they did seize the additional level in a shootout, with Kevin Lankinen stoning the Kraken thrice to seize the win, confirmed rather a lot about their character as a gaggle.

Article content material

“The fellows caught collectively,” head coach Rick Tocchet mentioned after the sport. “You are taking the win. It was a tough effort … for probably the most half we deserved it. I believed the D actually was scrappy tonight.”

Mighty Myers

Tyler Myers is fairly enjoyable. Generally he makes errors, certain, however he’s been round this sport a very long time and he’s a really succesful NHL defenceman, it doesn’t matter what folks suppose.

He isn’t a No. 1 defenceman, however he’s a participant of observe, nonetheless.

The Canucks wanted him to be massive on this night time — and he was.

He was robust in robust minutes. He scored a giant aim within the third interval to place the Canucks up 3-1.

Article content material

You possibly can’t lean on him this a lot each night time, however he’s been a strong participant all season.

One other man you want

Conor Garland’s sport had sagged somewhat currently however with J.T. Miller slumping and Elias Pettersson out, the Canucks want Garland at his craftiest.

They received that tonight.

He scored a superb breakaway aim on a fast transition, and was a pest on the forecheck all night time.

A shocking duo

To grasp how arduous the Canucks’ battered D corps rose to the problem — though they blew the third interval lead — look no additional than Vincent Desharnais.

The enormous blueliner received an extra time shift. He’s not the best puckhandler so he hardly ever will get out in conditions like that, however he did what he needed to do.

First he snuffed out a rush, then he turned the play again up ice and the Canucks received an incredible scoring likelihood due to his fast play, and Jake DeBrusk almost arrange Teddy Blueger.

Article content material

Paired with Derek Forbort, the Canucks dominated the Kraken when Desharnais was on the ice: Desharnais was +15 in 5 on 5 shot makes an attempt.

Miller Time

So he scored the winner within the shootout, however J.T. Miller, the Canucks’ highest-paid participant on this sport, was the low man on the 5 on 5 ice time ladder.

That’s not good.

He by some means has assists in 5 straight video games, however his total sport is missing spark.

The Canucks want him to search out his manner. He’s paid to be a frontrunner and the Canucks want him to be a frontrunner greater than ever.

Loads of good efforts

Put up-game Tocchet took time to single out the play of Nils Höglander.

The little winger has struggled to attain this season and has been a wholesome scratch, however he’s began placing collectively some good video games of late and impressed his coach sufficient he received on the ice in extra time, one thing hardly ever seen this season.

Article content material

Tocchet counseled the work of the entire fourth line: Höglander’s centre Max Sasson scored Vancouver’s first aim.

The place you trying, Demko?

Two video games towards the Kraken, two weird non-saves from Demko.

Final weekend he gave up a brutal aim to Matt Beniers, lacking a catch try on a shot that was going excessive and broad.

On this one, Demko gave up a aim on a shot off the aspect boards.

Two baffling gaffes.

However then he righted himself and was an enormous participant by way of the remainder of his time in aim and stood to be the profitable goaltender when he left the crease.

[email protected]

Article content material